For the past decade, Match 3 and merge games have dominated mobile gaming. From Candy Crush to Merge Mansion, these genres have driven billions in revenue, thanks to their broad appeal, engaging mechanics, and strong monetization models.

But a new contender is quietly rising to take their place: Solitaire hybrids.

Solitaire has always been a mobile gaming staple, but recent innovations are transforming it from a casual card game into something much bigger. With major studios now investing in Solitaire mechanics, 2025 might be the year this classic genre levels up.

Why Solitaire Is Poised to Take Over

1. Solitaire Has Universal Appeal

Solitaire is one of the most recognizable and widely played games in the world. From grandparents to Gen Z, nearly everyone has played some version of it—whether on an old Windows PC or on their phone while waiting in line.

This built-in familiarity gives Solitaire a huge advantage over newer genres. Unlike Match 3, which had to teach players how to swap and match tiles, Solitaire already has a massive audience that instinctively knows how to play. This makes onboarding incredibly easy, reducing friction and increasing player retention.

2. Big Studios Are Betting on Solitaire Hybrids

Match 3 and merge games saw explosive growth because developers added new mechanics and meta layers that transformed them from simple puzzle games into full-fledged live-service experiences. The same thing is now happening with Solitaire.

Here are a few major studios experimenting in this space:

• Metacore (Merge Mansion) – Known for its wildly successful merge gameplay, Metacore is now exploring Solitaire as another avenue for hybrid puzzle experiences.
• King (Candy Crush, Royal Match) – As one of the biggest mobile gaming studios, King has been testing Solitaire-based mechanics in its portfolio.
• Wooga (Playtika) – A leader in story-driven puzzle games, Wooga is looking at Solitaire as a way to introduce narrative elements into card-based gameplay.

These companies aren’t just making traditional Solitaire games; they’re layering in progression systems, power-ups, collectibles, and competitive elements—the same innovations that made Match 3 a billion-dollar category.

3. More Monetization Opportunities

Classic Solitaire games have traditionally monetized through ads, but hybrid Solitaire titles are introducing in-app purchases, battle passes, and live events—creating multiple revenue streams similar to Match 3.

With mechanics like:
✅ Limited-time events (e.g., earn exclusive card backs)
✅ Daily challenges & rewards (boosting retention)
✅ Power-ups & special abilities (enhancing gameplay)

Developers can increase engagement and long-term spending, just as they did with Match 3. This shift is already proving successful, with Solitaire hybrid games climbing the top-grossing charts.

4. Stronger Retention & Engagement

One of the biggest challenges in mobile gaming is keeping players engaged over time. Match 3 games solved this with evolving mechanics, social competition, and deep progression systems.

Now, Solitaire games are adopting these same strategies:
🎯 Meta layers – Building towns, unlocking characters, or progressing through a story.
🏆 Competitive play – Leaderboards, tournaments, and multiplayer modes.
🔁 Variety in gameplay – New Solitaire variations beyond Klondike, such as TriPeaks, Spider, and Golf Solitaire.

This added depth keeps players engaged longer, reducing churn and increasing lifetime value (LTV).

What This Means for the Industry

For developers and publishers, the rise of Solitaire hybrids presents huge opportunities:

• Increased User Acquisition (UA) Demand – More competition for Solitaire players will drive higher ad spend and CPI (cost per install).
• Higher LTV for Solitaire Games – With better retention and monetization, Solitaire games can generate revenue more like Match 3.
• New Creative Possibilities – AI, interactive elements, and storytelling can further expand the genre.

And for classic Solitaire developers, this trend is actually good news—as interest in Solitaire grows, even traditional card-based Solitaire games should see a boost in downloads and engagement.

Conclusion: Is Solitaire the Next Match 3?

The mobile gaming industry is constantly evolving, and Solitaire hybrids are shaping up to be the next big thing. With their universal appeal, strong monetization potential, and growing investment from top studios, Solitaire games are set to dominate in 2025—just like Match 3 did a decade ago.